Year 7 - English
'The Twisted Tree': symbolism
'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils read, explore and respond to the modern fairytale novel 'The Twisted Tree'. They start by reading the novel before practising writing analytically about the novel's key characters and themes. They finally respond creatively to the novel by writing an article and short script.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to understand and explain how symbols are used throughout the novel.
Key Notes
- Writers use a symbol to represent something that is not literally there.
- Symbols in 'The Twisted Tree' include ravens, a blinded eye, the Norns and the fog.
- Each symbol represents a key theme or idea.
- To create an effective analysis of a symbol, you need to explain where it appears in the novel and what it represents.
Vocabulary To Learn
- symbolism: where writers uses symbols to represent something that isn't literally there (e.g. an idea or theme)
- The Norns: in Norse mythology, three wise women spinners who determined every allotted life span
- prophecy: a prediction of what will happen in the future
- supernatural: attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils might think symbols in the novel have only one clear meaning.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Writers use a symbol to represent something that is not literally there. Symbols in 'The Twisted Tree' include ravens, a blinded eye, the Norns and the fog.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'symbolism'
where writers uses symbols to represent something that isn't literally there (e.g. an idea or theme).
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils might think symbols in the novel have only one clear meaning. Correction: Explain that symbols often have multiple meanings. For example, Martha's blindness can represent family secrets, vulnerability and hidden truths. Encourage looking for different interpretations.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'The Twisted Tree': analysing the dreadful draugr Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': Consolidating knowledge of the plot Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': creating a newspaper headline about the draugr Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': expressing my ideas about the novel Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': how the writer builds tension Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': introducing thesis statements Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': introduction to script writing Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': making impressive inferences about the tree Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': Norse mythology Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': planning a newspaper article about the dreadful draugr Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': Revising inferences Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': scripting a scene from the novel Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': selecting excellent quotes when writing about the novel Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': the novel as a Gothic text Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': understanding narrative arcs Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': writing an article about Mormor's death Study Guide
- 'The Twisted Tree': writing an effective article about the draugr Study Guide
- Exploring the use of mythology in 'The Twisted Tree' Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': explaining the creation of tension Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': exploring and creating similes Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': exploring the opening Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': identifying key themes Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': introducing the setting Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': Martha and Stig's relationship Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': Mormor's letter Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': the climax Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': the draugr as a villain Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': the presence of the tree Study Guide
- Reading 'The Twisted Tree': the theme of fate Study Guide
- Reporting on Mormor's death in 'The Twisted Tree' Study Guide
- The resolution of 'The Twisted Tree' Study Guide
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